Staten Island Advance/Hilton FloresMary Reilly was chosen last night as the new chairwoman of the Island Republican Party.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Already facing a challenge to her leadership, Mary Reilly was unanimously elected chair of the Staten Island GOP last night and pledged to work to unite the warring factions of the party.

"We are a family," Ms. Reilly told more than 160 party members at an emergency county committee meeting at the Vanderbilt, South Beach. "We work as a team, we win as a team."

It could be a tall order, as former Borough President Guy Molinari is organizing a bid to take control of the party in September. Robert Scamardella, president of the Molinari Republican Club (MRC), is seriously considering running for chairman.

Ms. Reilly takes over from John Friscia, who stepped down last week. Friscia, an ally of former GOP Rep. Vito Fossella, had become a lightning rod for criticism from Molinari, Scamardella and others.

The dissidents oppose Ms. Reilly's elevation because it is backed by Fossella and his supporters. Molinari and others are calling for completely new leadership.

In speaking to the crowd, Ms. Reilly, who served as vice chair for 10 years, touched on the looming fight.

"Like any family, we have our squabbles," she said. "But we need to move past those differences."

She pledged to have an open door and said she is willing to work with anyone to improve the party.

Speaking to the Advance afterward, Ms Reilly said, "I'm taking it one day at a time. This night, nobody can take away from me."

In nominating Ms. Reilly, committee member Dan Hennessy said she'd worked on GOP campaigns for years and had bucked the GOP in backing Michael Grimm for Congress last year. Molinari and Scamardella were top Grimm supporters.

Hennessy, who worked on Grimm's campaign, also pointed out that Ms. Reilly had gotten an award from the MRC in 2009.

"She will lead a strong, united, vibrant, independent county committee," he said.

Fossella, who was in the audience, said it was a "good night" for Ms. Reilly and the GOP.

"We're together," he said. "There was a positive feeling in the room, and for good reason."

But there were also signs of the schism, with City Councilman James Oddo (R-Mid-Island/Brooklyn) conspicuous by his absence.

Oddo said it would be "disingenuous" for him to attend because Ms. Reilly may not have his support when she runs for re-election in September.

But he had nothing bad to say about her.

"She's a good lady, a good friend and a good Republican," he said.

Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore) also was absent. He did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) and Assemblyman Lou Tobacco (R-South Shore) could not attend because they were in Albany. Lanza has strongly backed Ms. Reilly.

Grimm was in Washington, D.C., attending the State of the Union address.

Speaking by phone, Scamardella said he would have preferred that Republicans wait longer to hold the meeting.

"That being said, I respect the county committee's decision," he said.

Friscia wished Ms. Reilly well.

"I know that she'll tackle the role with great enthusiasm," he said. "I hope the Molinari Club gives her another award."